Bridgwater and Taunton College fire guts building

People living near the college were advised to keep their windows shut and to avoid the area

The principal of Bridgwater and Taunton College says a fire that "gutted" one of its buildings has left him "devastated".

At the height of the blaze, reported at about 03:00 GMT, 15 fire engines were at the Arts and Technology building in Bridgwater.

Andy Berry said the fire had destroyed specialist motorsport equipment.

Nobody was hurt but the fire brigade said the blaze had been started deliberately.

The fire broke out in the Arts and Technology building

The Bridgwater campus remains closed to all staff and students.

Mr Berry said the building affected by the fire, on College Way, was a standalone structure home to courses such as automotive engineering.

'Will bounce back'

"It is quite a substantial building that formerly held our engineering facilities, it is now linked to a motorcycle maintenance workshop," he said.

The blaze had left it "completely unusable" he added, and the college would now be talking to its insurers.

"We seem to be getting it from every direction at the moment, firstly with the coronavirus and now this fire," said Mr Berry.

"It's a little depressing but we've got a great team here and we will bounce back."

He added that as a multi-campus college, he hoped the impact on students could be minimised.

Students return

Crews across the county were called out and residents were asked to keep their windows shut and avoid the area.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters had left the college by about 17:00.

Fire crews had contained the blaze by 11:00 GMT

Bridgwater councillor Leigh Redman, a member of the fire authority, said: "I am really pleased that no-one appears to have been hurt.

"I hope that projects and important vehicle damage is limited, so that students can get back as soon as it is safe to do so.

"My thoughts are with anyone impacted by this devastating event".